Live GMAT classes with Target Test Prep start Nov 21 and Nov 22. First class free.

See classes
Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 winner: Target Test Prep, #1 Test Prep

Target Test Prep was voted #1 Best Test Prep in the 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards.

★★★★★5.0563 reviews
GMATLiveTeachStarts Nov 22
Josh Braslow, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE CLASSES

Get Ready for GMAT Test Day Faster with Live Online Classes

with Josh Braslow, 20+ years in test prep

Nov 22 · Josh Braslow
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Attend the first class for free
  • Every class is recorded, so you never fall behind
View classes & enroll
Limited seats availableTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeachOnDemandStart anytime
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Target Test Prep EA OnDemand

Self-paced EA prep. Study on your schedule.

EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

with

165+ EA score guarantee
$05-day trial no automatic billing
Schedule
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll Start free 5-day trial
Limited cohort · enrollment openTrial includes full course accessTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemandStart anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions
Start free 5-day trial
Read 563 reviewsTarget Test Prep

Can you do this problem w/o any calculation?

Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Subscribe topic
Previous Topic Next Topic
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Aug 22, 2009 8:45 pm
by phaedrus82 » Tue Sep 01, 2009 4:02 pm
Last year Manfred received 26 paychecks. Each of his first 6 paychecks was $750; each of his remaining paychecks was $30 more than each of his first 6 paychecks. To the nearest dollar, what was the average amount of his paychecks for the year?

A) $752
B) $755
C)$765
D) $773
E) $775

The answer explanation only shows how you could solve this by calculating it out in full... i.e. working out (6(750)+20(780))/26. I can ballpark it down to 2 answers right off the bat, noticing that the average is weighted on the 780 paycheck side, but that is as far as I can go w/o calculation. Is there a better way, not involving time consuming calculation, to find the answer here?
Top
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |
Legendary Member
Posts: 752
Joined: Sun May 17, 2009 11:04 pm
Location: Tokyo
Thanked: 81 times
GMAT Score:680

by tohellandback » Tue Sep 01, 2009 6:48 pm
I guess we can do this w/o calculation.

if each month he had received 750, hen the average wud be 750. He received 30*20 =600 hundred dollars extra.
this 600 dollars must be divided into 26 parts to egt the average.600/26= 23.something
answer is 750+23=773
The powers of two are bloody impolite!!
Top
Join the discussion
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 3224
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 2:40 pmFollowed by: 614 members
Location: Toronto
Thanked: 1710 times
GMAT Score:800

Re: Can you do this problem w/o any calculation?

by Stuart@KaplanGMAT » Tue Sep 01, 2009 7:28 pm
phaedrus82 wrote:Last year Manfred received 26 paychecks. Each of his first 6 paychecks was $750; each of his remaining paychecks was $30 more than each of his first 6 paychecks. To the nearest dollar, what was the average amount of his paychecks for the year?

A) $752
B) $755
C)$765
D) $773
E) $775

The answer explanation only shows how you could solve this by calculating it out in full... i.e. working out (6(750)+20(780))/26. I can ballpark it down to 2 answers right off the bat, noticing that the average is weighted on the 780 paycheck side, but that is as far as I can go w/o calculation. Is there a better way, not involving time consuming calculation, to find the answer here?
Let's start with rapid elimination:

765 is the midpoint between 750 and 780. 780 "weighs more" in the average, so the answer MUST be more than 765... eliminate A, B and C.

Now let's think about D and E. 775 (the easier number) is 5/6 of the way from 750 to 780. 775 would only be the right answer if 5/6ths of the paychecks were for 780. Does 20/26=5/6? No! Therefore, 775 cannot be the right answer... eliminate E.

Only one choice left - choose D!
Image

Stuart Kovinsky | Kaplan GMAT Faculty | Toronto

Kaplan Exclusive: The Official Test Day Experience | Ready to Take a Free Practice Test? | Kaplan/Beat the GMAT Member Discount
BTG100 for $100 off a full course
Top
Join the discussion